Manual on Computational Modeling and Structural Design of CLT

This manual is a project developed by the UC Center for Wood Innovation (CIM UC) with support from the Chilean Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINVU). Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive and detailed guide to computational modeling and structural design of cross-laminated timber (CLT). This document is intended for structural engineers, architects, students, and construction professionals who seek to apply advanced technologies in the design and construction of CLT buildings. This achievement was made possible in large part thanks to the support of Dlubal and the academic licenses for RFEM 6 that they provided us, along with the great effort of structural engineer Cristóbal Reyes, Professor Pablo Guindos, and other members of the CIM UC team.

Author	Ing. Cristóbal Reyes, Dr. Ing. Pablo Guindos
Center	Centro UC de Innovación en Madera (CIM UC) in collaboration with the Pontifical Catholic University Católica de Chile, sponsored by the Chilean Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINVU)

Cover of the Manual of Computational Modeling and Structural Design of CLT, including theoretical foundations and practical examples.

Book on Structural Design of CLT

This book aims to provide a clear, practical, and detailed tool for designing gravitational and lateral structures with CLT, covering everything from physical concepts to their implementation in structural analysis software. Its approach combines theoretical fundamentals with applied examples in RFEM 6 and design recommendations.

CLT is an innovative building material composed of layers of wood boards arranged perpendicularly and joined together using structural adhesives, forming a solid panel. This configuration provides high dimensional stability and considerable mechanical strength, allowing it to be used in a wide variety of structural applications, from residential buildings to bridges and high-rise structures. The development of CLT began in Europe in the 1990s, specifically in Austria and Germany, in response to the need for a sustainable and efficient building material that could compete with reinforced concrete and steel. Since then, it has gained popularity around the world and is widely used in Europe, North America, and other regions.

One of the most notable features of CLT is that it offers a wide range of advantages in the construction sector, from its functionality to its aesthetics and sustainability. In terms of mechanical properties, its cross-laminated configuration transforms the unidirectionality of wood into a bidirectional dimension that provides high strength and rigidity both in and out of plane. This orthogonal arrangement of layers substantially improves its dimensional stability and minimizes deformation and buckling thanks to its robustness. Furthermore, the nature of its factory manufacture favors high degrees of prefabrication, industrialization, and customization of each element, achieving millimeter-level precision in production that translates into a significant reduction in waste and on-site assembly times, allowing for fast and efficient construction …

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